Kenda are best known for their mountain bike tyres but they do a whole road range as well. The Super Domestique sits in the middle of their three-model tubular line-up.

Fitting was easy enough... Well, as easy as fitting tubs ever is. I put them on some wheels unglued overnight to stretch them out and they were fine to fit the following day.

The Super Domestique is made from a blend of natural and synthetic rubber and it's a pretty hard compound compared to a lot of other tyres out there. It has stood up well to use, wearing only slowly over several months, and there are no notable nicks or cuts in the surface – certainly nothing to worry about.

I've not had any flats either. Kenda use their Iron Cloak Belt to provide protection from punctures. It's a strip of Aramid fibres that sits under the tread. It doesn't extend down the sidewalls like it does on some of Kenda's tyres so the Super Domestique is more vulnerable in that area, but it's quite rare for anything to get in there anyway (of course, it does happen sometimes) and the advantage is that it keeps the weight down.

The valve cores are removable so you can easily put some sealant inside for further puncture prevention. If you do get a flat and sealant won't do the job, the butyl tube inside can be patched relatively simply. I say 'relatively' because mending a tub is always going to be way more complicated than patching a standard inner tube.

The casing is 300 TPI (threads per inch) and the Super Domestiques provide a really good ride quality. They can handle as much as 200psi (pounds per square inch) or 13.8 bar of pressure – if you have a pump that can get that much air inside – although you'll sacrifice a whole lot of comfort at that kind of level.

I've found them plenty grippy enough for cornering hard and fast in the dry although I felt that they lacked a little traction compared to the most sure-footed tyres out there in damp, greasy conditions. They're fine on that score, but not mind blowing. That's the flipside to the extra durability.

Verdict

road.cc test report

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Kenda say:

"Like the Volare, a classic racing and all-round tubular. The tire of choice for Kenda's professional cycling teams.

* Competition-level tubular

* A supple, hand-made 300tpi casing that features our Iron Cloak Belt (ICB) protection built under the tread

* Butyl inner tube for cost savings with a minimal weight addition"

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Kenda describe their puncture prevention system like this:

"Kenda's best puncture resistant material, Iron Cloak Belt (ICB) is a lightweight layer of material applied under the tread rubber only for added puncture protection with minimal weight gain. ICB lets you rest assured that your tires are durable, but remain lightweight for the ultimate in performance."

Rate the product for performance:

8/10

Rate the product for durability:

8/10

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:

8/10

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:

7/10

Rate the product for value:

7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

They do the job well, proving quick and durable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The durability is the strongest suit, I'd say

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

I didn't feel they were up there with the very best for grip in the wet.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 41 Height: 190cm Weight: 75kg

I usually ride:My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

Miscellaneous

Tools and workshop

Here's how we roll at road.cc: every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a real insight into whether it works or not. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective, and we strive to ensure that all opinions expressed are backed up by facts, but reviews are always a reviewer's informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores. It reflects both a product's function and value. Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad. Here's what they mean: